The Wind Is Our Fuel, Sails are our Engine
Curiosity is getting a huge upgrade in performance and handling this week. Because our new Ullman sails have arrived!
We’ve taken down and put up our genoa dozens of times, but this is our first time to ever remove our mainsail. Which is original to the boat circa 2005 🙀. Plus, we made a couple of adjustments to the new sail to increase performance in higher wind speeds. So, we find a few surprises along the way.
And, true to most boat projects, fitting them took about three times longer than expected. Which should have been expected. Rookies.
It just so happened, we made a new friend at Great Barrier who is the captain of a modest 138-foot sailboat (and one of our patrons!). Thankfully he offered to give us a hand, otherwise, we would probably still be at it. (Thank you, Mike!)
Free Morning Brew Newsletter
🎥 CAMERA GEAR USED TO FILM THIS VIDEO
💻 EDITING TEMPLATES
🎶 MUSIC IN THIS VIDEO
- Artlist, Get 2 Months for FREE: https://bit.ly/artlist-GWTW
- Artists – Eldar Kedem, the Hunts, Team Callahan, Lone Wild
- From Motion Array – Down to Little Italy, The Great World
🙏 THANK YOU!
Ups, downs, and all around, we share it all. If you like what you see, there are lots of ways you can show your support.
Simon
Hi, great video. You said you bought the sails from Ullman, with 3 reefs.
Did you get a sail plan for it? The original sail has only 2 reefs. If so, could you send it to me?
I was unfortunately delivered the main with 3 reefs from Ullman, although ordered only with 2.
Thank you very much.
Curious Minion
Wouldn’t that be something you could get from Ullman, specific to your boat?
Curious Minion
Alix and Toyah
Hey guys! We noticed your in oneroa last night, if you guys would like a tour of waiheke, my wife and I would love to show you around, let us know would be awesome to meet you guys
Kim
Hi Guys,
That mooring in Putiki Bay, Waiheke l mentioned, no problem if you want to use it for a while. It’s new, registered and in the mooring field and sorted for a 15m vessel.
[email protected] and l can give you the lat/long and the number. Easy to find and easy access.
K
MarkByron
Hooray! Congratulations! I’m guessing it was bittersweet at times. All the miles, years and memories taken away though surely not forgotten as a new life is planned for the old threads. Amazing to get to know strangers who become friends and dedicate themselves to helping you! Hats off to Mike.
Glen T. Hale
Aloha Nikki and Jason,
Your videos are one of my most favorite events of the week. I hope we get to see the new sales put to good use next week. You’ve been through quite the ordeal to finally receive them.
I have a suggestion: I’am watching the videos of your vessel on the hard in Tonga…I watched the the many long hours spent cleaning your home. I noticed there were special products you found to help remove mold stains, prevent mold and bugs, and to effectively caulk etc. Do you already have video that provides a summary of your best and favorite cleaning products; or, if not, please consider this as a request for such a video. Best of luck and safe travels.
Glen T. Hale
Aloha Nikki and Jason,
No words can express how much I love your videos. Your mixture of joy, happiness, and love is wonderful to experience. I’m excited for the next video anticipating some adventure with the new sales.
I am watching your videos with batted breath when your Curiosity was in Tonga, you are trying to get there, and then arriving and cleaning her up. Incredibly hard work and artfully filmed. Love it. A number of videos included products you used to deal with mold, smells, etc. I looked through your video lists and I don’t see a video with a summary about the tips and tricks and the best products you have found to keep you home looking so wonderful. Please let me know if you have such a video or, please accept this email as a humble request for such a video.
Alan Solomon
Another Awesome Video. AAV!
Congratulations on your new sails. They were a long time coming. I remember what you guys went through regarding them.
With almost 200 sq. ft. more sail area you will definitely be moving. You may get a speeding ticket from the International Ocean Police! 👮♀️👮♂️
And in the middle of everything a Black Swan. I liked the Black Swan. Thanks.
Best always,
Ed Grant
Thank goodness for friendly marina mates! That was indeed a huge project but made much easier with Mike’s help. Thanks Mike!!! Curios if you Do plan on using the old sail material for more items in your gift shop. With the increase in sq. ft. of sail area, what do you expect from the performance aspects, especially when it comes to higher winds? Having the added wreath should allow you to handle much higher winds, I would think, yes? Loved seeing you kids working so well together, as always.
Jean and Eric McBride
Wonderful to see your lovely NEW SAILS …hope they carry you two safely across many more oceans and through times to come. Amazing to see how Gulf Harbour Marina has grown since the days when I crewed on a boat moored there.
Paul Casacci
I’d compare replacing sails with replacing our oil boiler which was 20+ years old. (Like your sails, it was part of our home when we bought it in 2000; don’t know how old it really was.) Ripped it and the leaking oil tank out and installed a shiny, new propane fueled boiler. (Plus, added a propane fueled whole-house emergency generator at the same time.) More efficient, cleaner, if the fuel leaks it doesn’t cause a environmental hazard site, won’t fall apart next week and shouldn’t need to be replaced while we own the house. Nice to get it done and paid for before I retire.
Chris
Have you tried some NZ hokey pockey ice cream yet?
Mary Van
I love the videos and I do love reading the comments!
Glad you had some help with putting up the sails! You probably would still be at it!
Hopefully you are getting close to finishing up the big projects so you can get back out on the water and enjoy it before it turns cold. Maybe you will come home for a visit??? 😊❤️
StevieDV
Glad to see the sails finally came in despite all the international troubles you faced with them. As I mentioned before I am surprised the trampolines last as long as they did since they never get a break from the sun. Fair winds and following seas to you.
Michael
Congrats! About darn time! It has been a long time coming, but it is all worth it in the end. You start a new chapter with new sails and new equipment and repairs. The work is really paying off.
Hats off to Mike and the other people who have made a big difference in your lives.
John
“and. . .They’re WHITE!!!” Nikki sees the new trampolines for the first time and shouts out a spoiler.
Yes, they and the sails looks good.
Roy Neyman
Fun video. It’s one of the very first I’ve watched here in Vava’U since the big bang. Nice to be getting closer to civilization.
OjaiLynda
Beautiful job and hands up for Mike and others who step up along the journey! Cannot wait to see what becomes of your well used and much loved sails. Feel free to send me a 8’x5′ piece needed for my vintage Airstream!
Dennis Fussell
Nikki and Jason, the two of you are the best sailing couple 💑 on the internet. I can’t wait until Sundays to see what stories you have to tell. You do a great job working together keeping that cat in good shape. Your travels keep someone’s dream alive. Thank you guys.
YDion
“The wind is our fuel and the sail is our main engine” – I love this…
Clark
Love your videos. You guys are doing what so many people would like to do but can’t for various reasons. It’s vicarious experience for us land lubbers. The main sail replacement looked to be really complicated, but your neighbor and you guys made it seem easier than I’m sure it was. Again, thanks for your videos and travels through this part of God’s creation.
Steve and Mandy
Love the new video changing sails. Mike you rock. One of the magic things about boating is the comradeship, we give and receive. So good.
Safe sailing guys. Oh Nikki. We are sure those boys showed they had no problem getting it up. .
The sail that is. Minds in the gutter. Who us fellow sailors. Never.